Rock Springs Football Coach Stole Funds Raised by Middle School Students
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has determined that former Rock Springs Middle School football and golf coach Ryan Trotter stole $8,045 that he collected from students and fundraisers between July 2017 and October 2018.
The investigation began after Rutherford County Board of Education officials reported possible missing funds.
Trotter failed to turn over the money to school officials. Instead, he kept the money for his personal benefit. Investigators identified three sources of stolen money:
Trotter stole at least $5,540 in football player fees.
Trotter kept $2,205 that was received from a football discount card fundraiser.
Trotter stole golf player fees totaling at least $300.
Trotter admitted the theft to Comptroller investigators, and he resigned from Rutherford County Schools effective November 30, 2018. In December 2019, Ryan Trotter was indicted by the Rutherford County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $2,500.
“The former coach had a responsibility to provide the money he collected to the school bookkeeper and keep adequate records,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “The failure to do these things created a greater risk for this theft to go undetected. I am pleased to note that school officials have said they’re working to correct these deficiencies.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT
Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov.
